Industry commentators point out that separating the paper fibres from the plastic element would be a difficult prospect when it comes to recycling.

Either way, the material is worthy of note, particularly as PEGA Design and Engineering – the company behind the development – claims to have drawn the attention of consumer electronics manufacturers and insists the material will be commercially used in the near future.

If all goes according to plan, then the cardboard box and plastic protection your PC arrives in today, could well be forming the enclosure of your PC tomorrow. ®